Head Chef

Restaurant Associates UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Career development & learning programs

Healthcare access via Digital GP & NHS

Job summary

Restaurant Associates UK is seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead the food offering at a prestigious corporate site in the City of London. You will drive seasonal menus across retail, hospitality and events, ensuring outstanding quality and service every day.

You’ll manage food production, cost controls, and a high-performing kitchen team, while maintaining HACCP and health & safety standards. Strong leadership and culinary innovation are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to progress.
• Experience in corporate dining, contract catering, or high-volume operations.
• Strong culinary skills with passion for fresh food and innovation.
• Menu development and food costing experience.
• Leadership in managing and developing teams.
• Commercial awareness with budgets, GP, labour, and stock controls.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification or equivalent.
• Understanding of HACCP, allergen management, health & safety, and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen operation with exceptional quality, presentation and service standards.
• Develop seasonal menus across retail, hospitality, and events.
• Drive culinary initiatives to enhance customer engagement.
• Manage production, portion control, waste reduction and gross profit targets.
• Ensure accurate recipes, allergen information and nutritional data.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and labour planning.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management.
• Champion HACCP, allergen management, and compliance; audit readiness.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Food costing

Budget control

Team development

Food safety

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Head Chef- City of London

Lead Culinary Excellence at a Prestigious Corporate Site

Restaurant Associates is looking for an exceptional Head Chef to lead the food offering at a prestigious multinational investment management company in the heart of the City of London.

Head Chef- City of London

Lead Culinary Excellence at a Prestigious Corporate Site

Restaurant Associates is looking for an exceptional Head Chef to lead the food offering at a prestigious multinational investment management company in the heart of the City of London.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and passionate culinary leader to oversee a diverse operation spanning retail dining, hospitality, and high-profile events. You'll have the freedom to drive innovation, develop outstanding menus, inspire your team, and deliver an exceptional dining experience for our client and customers every day.

If you're an experienced Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

Culinary Leadership

• Lead the kitchen operation, ensuring consistently exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards.
• Create and develop seasonal menus across retail, hospitality, and events, balancing innovation, customer preferences, and current food trends.
• Drive menu development, themed experiences, promotions, and culinary initiatives that enhance customer engagement.
• Manage food production, portion control, waste reduction, and gross profit targets.
• Ensure recipe specifications, allergen information, and nutritional data are accurate and up to date.

Operations & Performance

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
• Manage purchasing, stock control, supplier relationships, and inventory processes.
• Control food and labour costs while delivering against financial targets.
• Lead the planning and execution of hospitality events, functions, and client-facing experiences.
• Work closely with front-of-house and hospitality teams to create a seamless customer journey.

Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing kitchen brigade.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, training, succession planning, and performance management.
• Create a positive and inclusive culture that promotes teamwork, engagement, and professional growth.
• Conduct regular one-to-ones, appraisals, and development discussions.
• Ensure effective rota planning and labour management.

Health, Safety & Food Compliance

• Champion the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance.
• Ensure all HACCP, allergen, COSHH, and health & safety procedures are fully implemented and maintained.
• Lead internal and external audits with confidence.
• Maintain all due diligence documentation to audit-ready standards.
• Promote sustainable practices, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or a strong Sous Chef ready to progress.
• Experience within contract catering, corporate dining, hospitality, or high-volume food operations.
• Strong culinary skills with a genuine passion for fresh food and innovation.
• Excellent menu development and food costing experience.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Good commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, GP, labour, and stock controls.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification (or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of HACCP, allergen management, health & safety, and compliance standards.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

  Benefits

  We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
  • Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
  • Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
  • Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
  • Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
  • Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
  • Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
  • You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

  About Us

  Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

  Job Reference: com/2310/93355001/52312056/SU #RA Group

  Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!